Patrick Kooiman

Sitting in his stunning fuchsia coloured room, surrounded by dramatic flower arrangements and his eclectic collection of ornaments, Patrick Kooiman taps away on his PC, oblivious of the outside world as he writes his latest article for his interior blog. At the end of the final paragraph, he lifts his head, smiles and is happy to answer the many questions we have for him…

Patrick Kooiman is a Rotterdam-based design writer and interior stylist who has just releasedhis first coffee table book, called VOLUME. Like many Rotterdammers, Patrick is not afraid toroll up his sleeves and go to work. What he likes best, however, is to sit down for in-depthinterviews with designers and artists from around the world. Patrick is the writer of theaward-winning blog Interiorator.com. His work has also been published in a wide array ofinterior design magazines. He currently writes a column about movie interiors for WOTHWonderful Things.

What was your first thought about Eterne?

When I read Eterne’s first press release and clicked through to their website, it almost feltlike coming home. In my home, I love to collect items from around the world. They each telltheir own story and together they reflect who I am. I got the impression that the peoplebehind Eterne were just as passionate as I am about putting together a great collection ofunique pieces that will last you a lifetime.

How would you describe your style?

Colorful and diverse, I guess. In fact, I painted out my entire living room in bright pink lastyear – and that includes the doors and the ceiling. I love making a statement. The other day,two police officers rang my doorbell (they weren’t looking for me, I hasten to add). When Iopened the door, one of them went: “Whoa!” I love that. I love mixing together moderndesign pieces with flea market finds. And let’s not forget all the things I buy whenever I’mtravelling! It’s the contrast that works. Old and new, modern and antique, expensive andcheap.

Who or what inspired you to grow personally and professionally?

That would have to be my former teacher and current best friend, Ingrid Robers. She taughtme to develop my own signature when I studied interior styling at the Academie Artemis inAmsterdam. We became friends after I graduated and together with Ingrid, I developed myfirst book. It wouldn’t have been there without her.

Can you describe the most inspiring place you have stepped foot into?

A few years ago, I interviewed interior designer Gert Voorjans in his home in Antwerp. It wasa totally overwhelming experience. There was so much to see! “Nobody would everdecorate their home I did here,” he told me. But now that I sit here in my pink livingroom, I guess I’m well on my way to beating Gert at his own game!

What do you think about the role of craftsmanship in interior design?

It’s high time we start realizing that the world doesn’t need any more bad design coming offan anonymous conveyor belt. When I look at the Moroccan side table I have bought throughEterne, I can really appreciate all the work that has gone into every single detail. It’s a uniquepiece that I will treasure for the rest of my life.